Dental care that kids receive over the course of their childhood is important to promoting lifelong oral health. There are many methods used to prevent cavities (or tooth decay) in your child's teeth, and our Smiletown North Delta dentists are here to make a few recommendations.
Regular Dental Check-Ups and Cleanings
Visiting the dentist for regular check-ups with your child beginning at a young age gives the dentist opportunities to recognize cavities as they develop. They can also maintain both your kid's primary (baby) teeth, and monitor their adult teeth as they come in for signs of decay.
Regular dental cleanings can help prevent cavities because dentists, like those at Smiletown North Delta, have tools and techniques to clean teeth more thoroughly than you can at home too.
Fluoride
Fluoride helps to strengthen your teeth's hard outer enamel, and can even reverse early stages of tooth decay. Sometimes extra fluoride is added to the water we drink.
Ask your dentist before introducing fluoride toothpaste to your young child's daily brushing, because too much fluoride can be a problem.
Sealants
The nooks and crannies between your child's teeth mean that there are plenty of hard-to-clean places where a cavity could form.
Dental sealants can be applied to fill in those grooves, creating a smooth surface that is much easier to maintain and won't allow build-ups of food and bacteria.
Preventative Orthodontics
Misaligned teeth can be more difficult to clean than straight, even teeth since they have more irregular nooks and crannies.
If your child's dentist detects early signs of misalignments, they may recommend preventative orthodontics to help avoid cavities.
Diet
The main dietary causes of cavities are acids and sugars. Acids erode tooth enamel and sugars feeds plaque-making bacteria.
Because of this, many dentists recommend a diet that is low in sugary and acidic foods in order to prevent cavities.
Daily Oral Hygiene
One of the best things you can do to prevent cavities is encourage your child in their daily brushing and flossing routine. Children should brush their teeth 2-3 times a day and floss at least once a day.
Brushing and flossing help to clean out the food bits and harmful plaque buildup in your child's mouth before they are able to damage their teeth.